About Mary Help of Christians · Chester, Illinois
Mary Help of Christians is a Roman Catholic parish in Chester, Illinois, founded in 1842 when the first emigrant Catholic families settled in the community along the Mississippi River in Randolph County. It belongs to the Diocese of Belleville and is currently partnered in ministry with St. Mary Church of Divine Maternity in Ellis Grove (and, historically, St. Joseph in Prairie du Rocher). The parish worships at 911 Swanwick Street, operates St. Mary's Grade School next to the church, and is served by the Vincentian Fathers (Congregation of the Mission, C.M.), with Very Rev. Sebastian Ukoh, CM, V.F. as pastor. Designated a 2025 Jubilee Pilgrimage Site by the Diocese of Belleville, Mary Help of Christians is one of the oldest parishes in southern Illinois.
- Established
- 1842
- Patron
- Mary Help of Christians
- Rector
- Very Rev. Sebastian Ukoh, CM, V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Belleville
Why belong here
Mary Help of Christians offers the rare chance to belong to one of the oldest Catholic communities in southern Illinois, with roots stretching back to 1842 and a brick church that has served the same small-town Mississippi River parish for more than 150 years. Worship is celebrated in a beautiful, recently redecorated historic church, and the parish runs St. Mary's Grade School as well as a Parish School of Religion (PSR) program for faith formation. The parish is part of a tight-knit partnership with St. Mary Church of Divine Maternity in Ellis Grove (and historically St. Joseph, Prairie du Rocher), so families can expect a true community feel, with Knights of Columbus, sodality traditions like the May Crowning, and ongoing devotions such as holy hours and the rosary.
Mass times at Mary Help of Christians
Weekly Mass schedule
History of Mary Help of Christians Parish
The parish's roots go back to 1842, when the first emigrant Catholic families settled in Chester on the Mississippi River. The first Mass was offered in 1847 by Rev. Nicholas Perrin in a family home, and in 1850 Bishop Oliver Van de Velde laid the cornerstone for the first brick church, which he returned to bless and dedicate to Mary Help of Christians on July 29, 1853. A parochial school was added in 1863, and the main body of the present church was built in 1869–1871 and significantly renovated in 1913 with the addition of the transept, sanctuary, sacristies and stained-glass windows.
- 1842 – First emigrant Catholics settle in Chester
- 1847 – First Mass celebrated by Rev. Nicholas Perrin, pastor of Kaskaskia
- 1850 – First 25×50-foot brick church built; cornerstone laid Oct. 6 by Bishop Van de Velde; one-acre cemetery donated
- 1853 – Church blessed and dedicated to Mary Help of Christians by Bishop Van de Velde (July 29); seven parishioners confirmed
- 1863 – First parochial school opens in the church basement (40 pupils, lay teacher)
- 1869–1871 – Main body of the present church built (44×72 feet, $10,000)
- 1873 – First Mass in the new church, celebrated by Rev. Clemens Rhode (Aug. 15)
- 1876 – Five-acre new cemetery site purchased for $450
- 1894 – Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality established
- 1913 – Major renovation adds transept, larger sanctuary, two sacristies and stained-glass windows
- 1925 – Crucifixion group erected in current cemetery; Rev. Charles J. Eckert (pastor since 1892) dies in a car accident (Nov. 24)
- 1930 – Current rectory built
- 1942 – Centennial celebrated with pontifical field Mass, chicken dinner and sacred concert; Holy Name Society founded
- 1946 – Parish House (former convent) purchased to house seven sisters serving the parish
- 1951 – School gymnasium built
- 1952 – Catholic Youth Organization established
- 1954 – St. Mary's Knights of Columbus Council instituted
- 1957 – Current Knights of Columbus Meeting Hall built
- 1963 – Rev. Anthony B. Lehmen, pastor for 37 years, dies (May 13)
- 1964 – High school students begin the May Crowning tradition
- 1965 – School enrollment peaks at 300
- 1967 – School library and recreation room built; PTO formed
- 1987 – Preschool and kindergarten classes added; first Parish Council meeting
- 1992 – 150th anniversary celebrated with vespers, parish mission, prayer at original cemetery, living rosary, Mass with Bishop Keleher
- 2006 – Volunteer-built playground installed at the school
Parish Partnership — STJMM
Mary Help of Christians is currently partnered with St. Mary Church of Divine Maternity in Ellis Grove, and together they share pastoral and administrative ministry (the joint website is stjmm.org). Historically the partnership also included St. Joseph in Prairie du Rocher, and the stjoespdr.org history page documents all three communities. Holy Day vigils and Masses rotate among the three parishes; parishioners are asked to check with each parish for the schedule.
- Mary Help of Christians, Chester (this parish)
- St. Mary Church of Divine Maternity, Ellis Grove
- St. Joseph, Prairie du Rocher (historical partner)
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently served by the Vincentian Fathers (Congregation of the Mission, C.M.). The pastor is Very Rev. Sebastian Ukoh, CM, V.F. — the 'V.F.' designation indicates his role as Vicar Forane (dean) of the vicariate.
- Very Rev. Sebastian Ukoh, CM, V.F. — Pastor (618-826-2444)
- Cheryl Gross — PSR Coordinator (618-826-2444)
- Rose Dethrow — Administrative Assistant (618-826-2444)
St. Mary's Grade School
The parish operates St. Mary's Grade School on the same campus, the oldest continuous Catholic school in the area. It began in 1863 with 40 pupils taught by a lay teacher in the church basement and grew into a brick school building that opened in October 1905 — the same building largely still in use. A gymnasium was added in 1951, a library/recreation room in 1967, and preschool and kindergarten classes were added in 1987. A state-of-the-art playground, built entirely with volunteer help, was added in 2006.
- Parish school since 1863
- Current brick school building opened 1905
- Gymnasium built 1951
- Library/recreation room added 1967
- Preschool and kindergarten added 1987
- Volunteer-built playground added 2006
- Peak enrollment: 300 students (1965)
Faith Formation — Parish School of Religion (PSR)
In addition to the parish grade school, Mary Help of Christians runs a Parish School of Religion (PSR) program for catechesis of parish children, coordinated by Cheryl Gross. The PSR program works alongside St. Mary's Grade School to ensure Catholic religious education for the wider parish community.
- PSR Coordinator: Cheryl Gross
- Contact: 618-826-2444
2025 Jubilee Pilgrimage Site
In 2025, the Diocese of Belleville designated Mary Help of Christians as one of its official Jubilee Pilgrimage Sites for the Holy Year. The parish welcomes visitors to tour the recently redecorated historic church and to learn about the formation of the parish and the surrounding Mississippi River community. Pilgrims are invited to spend time in prayer — through a holy hour, praying the rosary, going to confession, or attending Mass — and to take part in the Jubilee themes of hope, faith, and good works. Tour information and scheduling is handled by Paula Platt at (618) 615-5545.
- Designated by the Diocese of Belleville as a Jubilee Pilgrimage Site for 2025
- Recent redecoration of the historic church
- Tours available by appointment — contact Paula Platt, (618) 615-5545
- Pilgrim activities: holy hour, rosary, confession, Mass
Parish Ministries, Organizations & Devotions
Mary Help of Christians has a deep bench of lay organizations that have served the parish community for generations. The Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality has met since 1894, the Knights of Columbus Council was instituted in 1954 and meets in its own hall built in 1957, and the parish also counts a long-running Catholic Youth Organization (since 1952) and Parent Teacher Organization (since 1967) among its active groups. The annual May Crowning, in which high school students crown the Blessed Virgin, has been a parish tradition since 1964. Parish Breakfasts are a regular community fundraiser.
- Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality (est. 1894)
- Catholic Youth Organization (est. 1952)
- Knights of Columbus — St. Mary's Council (est. 1954; current hall built 1957)
- Parent Teacher Organization (est. 1967)
- Parish Council (first meeting 1987)
- May Crowning ceremony (since 1964)
- Parish Breakfasts (regular fundraiser)
- Holy Name Society (1942–1991, historical)
Facilities & Campus
The parish campus at 911 Swanwick Street in Chester includes the historic 1871/1913 church, the 1930 rectory, the Parish House (former convent, acquired 1946), St. Mary's Grade School and its gymnasium (1951), and the Knights of Columbus Meeting Hall (1957). Two parish cemeteries have served the community over the years — the original one-acre site (on what is now the Niermann farm) donated in 1850, and a larger five-acre site purchased in 1876, where a crucifixion group was erected and dedicated in 1925.
- Historic church (1871, renovated 1913)
- Rectory (built 1930)
- Parish House / former convent (acquired 1946)
- St. Mary's Grade School (brick building opened 1905; gym 1951; library/recreation 1967)
- Knights of Columbus Meeting Hall (built 1957)
- Original cemetery (1 acre, donated 1850; now Niermann farm)
- Current cemetery (5 acres, purchased 1876; crucifixion group dedicated 1925)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Nicholas Perrin1847
Pastor of Kaskaskia who celebrated the first Mass in Chester, once a month in a family home.
- Most Rev. Oliver Van de Velde1850 / 1853
Bishop of Chicago (the only bishop in Illinois); laid the cornerstone in 1850 and blessed/dedicated the church to Mary Help of Christians on July 29, 1853.
- Rev. Clemens Rhode1873
Celebrated the first Mass in the newly completed (1871) church on August 15, 1873.
- Rev. Charles J. Eckert1892 – 1925
Long-serving pastor; died November 24, 1925, as the result of a car accident.
- Rev. Anthony B. Lehmen1926 – 1963
Served as pastor for 37 years; died May 13, 1963.